Regaining and Retaining the Joy of the LORD

"The joy of the LORD is your strength" is one of the better known verses in Nehemiah. In the context Nehemian and Ezra are instructing people in their day to observe the feast of Tabernacles. We of course are not obligated to observe the feast exactly like they did back then. However there are fruitful, encouraging principles that we must observe and in doing so we will regain and retain the joy of the Lord. Why do you need the joy of the Lord? The joy of the Lord imparts inward power to serve the Lord with gladness. The joy of the Lord greatly increases your ability to resist temptation. When the joy of the Lord is found in groups of people it unites them in spirit making them generous, confident, and patient. On the other hand, John MacArthur says, "when the joy is gone the ministry is gone."